The official religious delegation from China says on the whereabouts of the Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekye Nyima

By Chungdak Koren

Oslo, September 18 – An official Chinese religious delegation, consisting of four members is touring these days in Europe to propagate religious and human rights’ freedom in China and Tibet. The delegation is visiting Oslo, capital city of Norway from 15-19 September and in Oslo they are accompanied by two officials from the Chinese Embassy. The delegation members and their designations are following:

1. Mr Tsering Gyalpo (Ciren Jiabu in Chinese)Director of Religious Research Institute of Tibet Autonomous Region Academy of Social Sciences, Lhasa..
2. Abbot Khadi Lobsang Champa of Dargye Monastery in Garze County, vice chairman of Sichuan Province Bhuddhist Association
3. Ms Wang Yanwen, Council Member of the China International Culture Association.
4. Ms Sun Jie Interpreter

The Chinese embassy here in Oslo has requested the Buddhist Union of Norway to be their host during the delegation’s visit in Oslo. One of their main program among other arrangements for the delegation, was a visit and meeting on 16 September at Karma Tashi Ling, Tibetan Buddhist Centre for its members. On the program the members of the centre were informed that the abbot Khadi Lobsang Champa from the delegation was going to give Bhuddhist talk at the centre. Few Tibetans and some Norwegians altogether about 16 people have come up to hear the Lamas talk on Buddhism . However, to the disappointment of the listeners, the religious Buddhist talk turned out to be a written statement of the usual Chinese official assertion that everything was perfect in China and Tibet and everybody enjoyed religious freedom and freedom of expression. When some of us Tibetan took a stand against his statement and questioned the whereabouts of the Panchen Lama recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the abbot said “Penchen Lama now lives in Nagchu, which is His birth place and doing his studies”. and to make sure that he meant our Phanchen Renpochi we said “We mean Panchen Lama recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” abbot said “ Yes Yes”.

Their meeting at karma Tashiling centre conclude with lunch to the delegation by centre and then visit to Karma Shedrupling retreat centre which belongs to the same centre. The delegation was warmly and officially received at the centre by the resident lama of centre, Lama Changchup with Khada ( white scarf) when they arrived at the centre.